JUPITER, Fla. — In their first detailed, public response to a $1 billion lawsuit facing the team, the owners of the Mets filed a motion Sunday that asks a judge to dismiss the complaint due to “false allegations” and “false claims” made by Irving Picard, the trustee designated with recouping losses for the victims of Ponzi scheme operator Bernie Madoff.

In the motion, lawyers for Mets CEO Fred Wilpon, president Saul Katz and the partners of Sterling Equities, the parent company which owns the Mets, contend that Picard’s complaint “makes allegations that are contradicted by the evidence,” according to a news release issued by Sterling Sunday evening.

The lawsuit, which was amended to include additional charges Friday, accuses Sterling of relying on the false profits created by Madoff in order to operate the Mets on a day-to-day basis. It also alleges that the Mets ignored “red flags” that should have tipped them off to Madoff’s illegality.

In the newly-filed motion, Sterling lawyers attack a quartet of claims which they say forms the “crux” of Picard’s case:

1. Sterling insists that there were no apparent “red flags” to notice.

2. Sterling disputed Picard’s contention that Peter Stamos, the head of the separate investing firm Sterling Stamos, told Sterling Equities that Madoff’s returns were “too good to be true.” Sterling contends that Stamos testified the opposite.

3. Sterling defends the practice of “black box” investing, which Madoff used and the SEC regulates.

4. Sterling insists that the personal relationship between Wilpon and Madoff, friends for 35 years, did not make it easier for Sterling to discover Madoff’s practices.

The team’s financial calamity centers around this suit. Full owners of the team since 2002, the Wilpons remain committed to selling a minority stake in the franchise in order to protect against the suit.

The hammer still looms over Oliver Perez, two days removed from a relief appearance in which he allowed two home runs to minor-league players. Manager Terry Collins and general manager Sandy Alderson plan to discuss Perez’s situation this morning.

In all likelihood, the Mets will release Perez and eat his $12 million salary. But he remained a part of the team Sunday. He worked out at the team’s complex and threw a bullpen session. Team officials did not tell him when he would pitch next.

Logistics aided Perez’s cause.

Alderson spent Saturday two hours away at the Braves’ spring training complex at Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Collins traveled here to Roger Dean Stadium early Sunday morning. They spoke on the phone, but there was no formal meeting.